BIRD3 — TETRAONIDAE — nONASA SABINII. 

 List of specimnis. 



fi31 



BONASA SABINII, Baird. 



Orei^ou (^roQsc. 

 Te(rao sabinii, Dodolas, Trans. Linn. Soc. XVI, 1829, 137.— Rich. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 343. 

 ? Trlrao twihellus, Rich. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 342.— Newueiirt, Zool. Cal. & Or. Route, Rep. P. R. R. Surv. VI, 

 IV, 1857,94. 

 Sp. Oh. — Similar to B. ximbellus, but much darker. Middle toe longer. Length, about 18 inches ; wing, 7.30 ; tail, C.70. 

 Ilab. — Rocky mountains to Pacific coast of Oregon and Wasliington. 



The specimens of ruffed grouse from the Pacific coast differ very greatly iii much darker 

 tints of coloration, although the pattern is apparently the same. There is no shade of grey 

 anywhere. The upper parts are dark orange chestnut, mottled with black, the cordate light 

 spots very distinct. The feathers of the breast are strongly tinged with reddish yellow ; those 

 of the sides marked with broad and conspicuous bars of black, instead of the obsolete brown. 

 The under tail coverts are orange chestnut, with indistinct bars of black, and an angular 

 terminal blotch of white. All the light brown blotches and edgings of the eastern variety are 

 here dark brown or black. The jugular band between the ruffles is very conspicuously black. 

 The greatest difference is seen in the middle toe, which is much longer than in lunhellus, and 

 even without its claw, exceeding the tarsus, instead of being shorter. 



I am inclined to consider this as a good species of grouse, and distinct from B. umheUus, on 

 account of the difference in the length of the middle toes, although this elongation may some- 

 times be found in B. umbdlus. When Richardson found no difference between hi.s T. umhelliis 

 and the T. sabini of Douglas, it is not improbable, judging from the measurements, that he 

 had sabini before him instead of the other species. 



Idst of specimens. 



^ Irig brown. 



